I don't think this guy deserves the thumbs down and negative comments he's getting. He's just another frustrated owner/buyer trying to figure out how to make his game playable. I don't like the idea, but maybe if there was a model out there that compensated for this, money back if not complete 6 months post, I don't know, it would help ease taking the leap to buy another Stern.
None of that will happen of course, simply because Gary Stern doesn't give a shit about you as a buyer. He just wants your money, and on to the next.
All of these discussions though add to the overall consensus that will one day make a difference, keep that in mind. More threads complaining, and rightfully so, will help make the change.